Published 12:08 pm, Friday, January 4, 2013

I have no idea where the time has gone, but the days, weeks and months have once again vanished. A few days ago I was writing 2012, and now the calendar reads 2013.

The late Jim Croce wrote a song entitled “Time in a Bottle.” It was a great song in 1973 that suggested if we could save time in a bottle, perhaps we could do all the things we’d like to do with that special someone. However, the song also states that once we decide on all the things we desire to do, we still never get everything done, simply because we run out of time.

Well, whether it’s 1973 or 2013, I’ve noticed that even in these days of time-saving inventions such as the microwave, cell phones, iPads, computers and so forth, there never seems to be enough time.

Although the word “new” could imply anew or afresh, the Hale County Literacy Council will kick the New Year off with one of its familiar First Thursday Family Reading Night programs. We invite all children ages 4 to 7 to slip your favorite pajamas on and come listen to three bedtime stories at the Unger Library this Thursday at 7 p.m. Our community reader will be fellow Rotarian Coralyn Dillard, while junior readers will be Bailey Manning and Ryan Bowen. They will be reading “WOLF!” “Caps, Hats, Socks and Mittens” and “River Parade.”

Each family will be given a copy of “WOLF!” Our parents will leave with reading tips.

According to Mem Fox, “Reading Magic” author, “If parents understood the huge educational benefit and intense happiness brought about by reading aloud to their children, and if every parent — and every adult caring for a child — read aloud a minimum of three stories a day to the children in their lives, we could probably wipe out illiteracy within one generation.”

This is a pretty bold statement, but one that many early childhood professionals firmly believe in. Reading to a child can and should begin as soon after birth as possible, as it will help with brain development, speech skills and simply bonding with the child, which will help in other developmental areas as well.

Readers, I know that time has become a precious commodity, but if you’re not doing anything Thursday, bundle up that little one, weather the weather and come join us for a night of family reading. Your child will love it!